Selvedging mechanism for circular looms



ay l, i193?. -A F, HALE 2,080,77 sELvEDqxxu MECHANIsM Fon CIRCULAR Looms Filed Angl s, 1935 Patented May 18, 1937 l SELVEDGING MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS Frank Corbyn Hale, Spondon, near Derby, England, assigner to Celanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application August 3, 1935, Serial No. 34,578 In Great Britain August 22, 1934 Claims. (Cl. 139-13) This invention relates to shedding mechanism separated from the other threads into a shed into adapted for the weaving of selvedges in circular which the shuttle can enter. looms. A After passage of the shuttle, an opposite move- Although one of the advantages of a circular ment of the device takes place, and under the 5 loom is that it enables the weaving of a piece of action of the next pressing meanS the threadS 5 fabric of a width equal to the weaving periphery entered into the eyes of the one comb are again of the loom to be wovenby continuous motion, restrained, while the remaining threads are again such febrie usually has to be split lengthwise able to partake of the radial movement but on either into a single piece 0r into a plurality of this occasion at the sides of the restrained threads l0 pieces, depending upon the periphery of the loom ODpOSite t0 that at Which they rIlOVed radialli7 10 and the use to which the fabric is to be put. during the preceding shedding InOVeInent- Since the weft is carried continuously round the This alternate crOSSing 0f the tWO SetS 0f tubular fabric in one direction, the-100m does not threads continues at each shuttle, so that each weave a selvedge as in the onse of an ordinary pair of warp threads over the width of the device 100m in which the weft is picked from side to side are twisted with each other at every piek. The 15 of the fabric in opposite directions. Therefore deup effect thu-S prOdU-Ced efectiVely Secures the when the tubular fabric is spnt there is the warp threads to the weft threads when the fabric danger of the edges of the fabric unravelling. iS Subsequently Split alcng the middle O'f the The present invention has for its object to prodcllped Section vide means whereby unravelling can be avoided COnVenientlY the cOmbS COVer the Space 0f 20 when the febrie is sput, peirs of werp threads in about 12 to 24 threads, thus forming a selvedge at the part of the fabric that will form the selvedges each edge 0f the fabric' cOrlSiSting 0f 3 t0 6 being caused to cross over each other so as to pairs 0f crOSSed threads- The Warp threads in grip the ends of the weft threads firmly the selvedge may be the same 'as the threads in The device according to the invention comprises the remainder 0f the fabric, 0r Special SelVedge 25 an open-ended Comb, eyes being provided in the threads may be introduced into the warp at this ends of the dents of the comb, and a reed or comb pcintJ fOr eXample for the purpose of strengthenhaving 1ohger dents, the. two combs being disine the edges of the fabric, or for the purpose of posed one above the other in close proximity. enabling the fabric t0 be identied- Means are provided to eiTect a slight relative Either 0f the tWO cOlnb Section5 0f the deViCe 30 movement in a circumferential direction between may be built intO a reed fcrming part 0f the the two combs. shedding mechanism for the main portion of the The combs extend over the width of selvedge fabric Thus, the Open cOInb may form part 0f desired, some of the threads being entered in the Such reed, the movable comb being pivotallv or eyes of the dents of the one comb while the OtherWiSe mounted 0n the reed S0 a8 t0 have the 35 other threads are passed between the dents of required circumferential movement equivalent to the other comb and thus are left free to move in apprOXilTlatelY the SpacebetWeen a pair 0f dents.

a radial direction. The main shedding mechanism may be of the In advance of each shuttle means are provided type described in U. S- applications S. NOS. 27,834

to move one comb with respect to the other in and 27,835 led 22nd June, 1935. Y 40 one direction at one shuttle and in the opposite One fOrIn 0f apparatus acccrding t0 the invendirection at the next shuttle. Thus, a cam may tion will now be described in greater detail with be used to move the comb in one direction and a reference to the accompanying drawing in spring to move it in the other direction when it is whichfree of the cam. Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic part cross-sectional 45 After each such movement means such as a elevation 0f part 0f a Circular 100m employing shedding wheel engage the warp threads to press rotating shuttles;

them radially towards the base of the open-ended Fig. 2 is part cross-sectional elevation of a decomb. The pressing means are disposed on the tail of Fig. 1 on a larger scale taken along the side of the device remote from the shuttle so that line 2 2 of Fig. 3; 50 on the side of the device on which the shuttle Figs. 3 to 5 are diagrammatic plan views indilies those threads entered in the eyes of the comb eating the mode of operation of the mechanism cannot partake of the radial movement. The reshown in Figs. 1 and 2; while maining threads, not being so restrained, con- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of tinue their radial movement and are thus fabric woven according to the invention. l55

Referring to Fig. 1 warp threads 5 unwinding from beams or like supply packages (not shown) are spaced evenly round the top of the loom by a circular comb 'E and proceed downwardly in cylindrical arrangement to the fabric 8, along the fell 9 of which weft is laid by a number of rotating shuttles (one, lil, shown in Fig. 1). The fabric 3 is supported below the fell 9 by the edge of a ring H outstanding from the central shaft l2 of the loom.

Each shuttle l is propelled round the loom by vane wheels I3 secured to a driving shaft Eli, the driving shaft being driven in turn from a radially disposed spindle i5 supported by a rotatable ring iii which is driven round the loom at the rate at which it is desired to propel the shuttles by an electric motor il. The drive from the electric motor il to the rotatable ring i5 is transmitted by belt gearing i8 and a vertical shaft i9. For further details as to the operation of the vane wheels and associatedrmechanism reference may be had to U. S. application' S. No. 31,599 filed July 16, 1935, corresponding to British application No. 21467/34 led 23th June 1934.

At a short distance abovethe level of the top of the shuttle i are mounted a pair of concentric cylindrical reed-like members 26, 2l set in soft metal such as lead and connected together by closely spaced radially disposed dents 22, the whole unit being supported by a spider 23 outstanding from the central shaft I2.

The member 2Q, while being of less diameter than the member 2i is provided with the same number of upright dents 24, the dents 24 of both members extending axially of the loom to a height sufficient to accommodate two banks of thin flat warp thread controlling healds 25, 26. Each bank of healds is supported by concentric rings 2l secured to the inner edges of the dents 25 and each e heald in the two banks is free to slide on its edge between the corresponding dents of the two members 2i), 2i, the healds being guided radially by the dents 2d.

Ech heald in the two banks 25, 25 engages an alternate warp thread and on being moved radially in either direction draws its warp thread to one side or the other of the path of the shuttle i8. The general operation of the healds is described in detail in U. S. application S. No. 27,834 filed 22nd June 1935 and the following description will therefore give merely a brief outline of the salient features of the shedding operation.

Situated above the level ofthe banks of healds 25, 25 and in advance of each shuttle is a freely rotatable warp thread shedding wheel 29, operating in conjunction with an inner wheel, the purpose of which will appear hereafter. The wheel 29 is mounted outside the warp circle on a standard 3| upstanding from the ring I5 while the wheel 35 is mounted in contact with and slightly in advance of the wheel 29 on a bracket 32 upstanding from a freely rotatable spider 33 inside the warp circle. .The dispositions Yof the wheels are such that their edges project beyond the normal unshedded line 34 (Fig. 2) ofl the warp threads. 1

The peripheries of the Wheels 29, being in contact, (see Figs. 3 to 5), the rotation of the ring I6 not only carries the wheels 29 of each pair round the loom at shuttle speed but causes the wheels 23 to push the wheels 35 through the warps, thus rotating the wheels 33 and also driving the rotatable spider 33 round the loom. On being carried round the loom, the outer wheels 29 press all the warp threadsand consequently the dent 31.

healds 25, 25 in engagement therewith radially inward progressively round the loom.

In order to prevent inward movement at any particular shuttle. of the healds of a selected bank 25, 25, and thus to divide the warp threads to form a shed, two stops 35 are provided in connection with each shuttle. The stops 35 are carried round the loom slightly in advance of each shuttle by a pin 35 depending from the rotatable spider 33 and are adjustable so as to project towards the inner ends of the healds.

In Fig. 2 the upper stop 35 is shown in the operative (outward) position, the stop engaging the inner ends of the. healds of the bank 23 and preventing their inward movement under the influence of the pressure of the outer shedding wheel 2S on the warp threads. The lower stop 35 being in inoperative position (viz. drawn away from the healds) the healds in the bank 25 are free to move towards the axis of the. loom. In this manner the warp threads are shedded for the reception of the shuttle IB.

At the next shuttle, (to be described later), the lower stop 35 in connection therewith will b'e in the operative position while the upper stop will e inoperative and so on round the loom. As will be observed in Figs. 3 to 5 the nose of each shuttle is inclined inwardly, thus ensuring that the shuttle always passes to the inner side of the warp threads restrained by the stopped healds to occupy the normal line 35i. Since the healds in the upper bank 26 lie directly above the healds in the lower bank 25 no attempt has been lnade in Figs. 3 to 5 to show the relative dispositions of the ends of the healds.

In order to form a doup selvedge to enable the tubular fabric 8 to be cut without fraying of the cut edges, a set of six adjacent healds removed from each bank 25, 26, the upper set being removed from a position exactly over the lower set so as to form a gap in the healds. Over the gap thus formed six short dents 3l are fixed with their innermost ends in the crown 38 of the reedlike member 25 to form an open-ended comb, the dents 31 lying in the same radial planes as the removed healds.

The outer ends of the dents 3l ar-e formed with eyes 39 through which are passed alternate warp threads A of the twelve 'threads passing through the gap. The length of the dents 3l is such that the threads A are held to the outside edge of the shuttle le, as shown clearly in Figs. 2, and 3 to 5.

Pivoted on the crown 55 of the member 2l is a closed-ended comb fi! comprising seven dents 42 fixed into cross members d3, dll, (see Figs. 3 to 5) the comb extending over the six dents 3l and being pulled in a clockwise direction against a stop 45 by a tension spring 5E. The remaining six warp threads B are passed between the dents 42 oi' the comb il as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and are freeto move radially along the length of the dents 42.

To commence the selvedge-forining operation the inner wheel 30 in association with the shuttle 3 is carried by the rotation of the spider 33 against the warp threads and pushes the threads B outwardly along the length of the comb il to a f point beyond the ends o f the dents 3l. At this mpment a raised cam d8 secured to the periphery of the spider 33 is carried against avbowl "t3 rotatably mounted on an extension of the cross` member 34, and swings the comb in an anticlockwise direction so that each of the six warp threads B is directed to the left-hand side of a The outer shedding Wheel 29 now engages the threads B and-pushesthem inwardly along the` comb 4I, thusformin-g a shed for thel reception oi the shuttle lf as shown in Figs. 2- and 3.

On passage ofV the shuttle HJ andi con-sequent laying of weit thereby between the divided threads A. and B the bowl 49 reaches the end of the cam i8 and the comb` di is swung in a clockwise d-irection under the influence of the spring 465. Just as the comb 4l commencesthis clockwise movement, however, the following. inner wheel (indicated for convenience as 5&3) in connection with the following shuttle (similarly indicated as 5i engages. the threads B and pushes them outwardly again along the comb 4I beyond the ends of the dents 31,.as1 shownin Fig. 4.

The comb di' now swingsV into Contact with the stop 45 and the threads B are. pushed inwardly along. the comb 4I by the succeeding outer shedding' wheel 52,. but on this occasion along the righthand sides of the dents 3T, as shown in Fig. 5, the threads B now lying across the threads A. The shuttle 5i enters the new shed and lays weft therein. The succeeding inner shedding wheel not shown) then pushes the. threads B outwardly again and the above-described operation is repeated.

It will bev understood that the six warp threads B are caused to lie rst to one side and then to the other of `theiixed threads A, a pick of weft v being laid between the twov sets of threads A, B after each change-over. The doup eiiect thus obtained is shown clearly in Fig. 6, the interlocking of the threads preventing the edges of the fabric unravelling on being cut through the selvedge. The cutting of the fabric may convenientlybe eiected along line C-C.. thus providing selvedges of equal width at the two edges of the cut fabric.

While the above description has been directed to forming a doup selvedge at one point only of the periphery of the loom, it is tobe understood that such selvedge can be formed at any desii-ed intervals round the loom. Thus, if the tubular fabric woven in the circular loom is to be cut lengthwiseto form a single sheet one selvedge is suiiicient. If, on the other hand, two separate fabrics are desired, two selvedges will be formed, and so on. If desired the douping mechanism according to the invention can be incorporated in a circular loom for the purpose of producing stripe patterns in the fabric, the stripes being of any desired width.

It is to be understood that while the apparatus according to the invention has been described in connection with a circular loom employing rotating shuttles, similar mechanism could be employed in a circular loom in which the shuttles are held stationary while the warp threads rotate about the loom axis. Again, while the invention has for simplicity been described in connection with the crossing-over of alternate warp threads to form the doup selvedge according to the invention, it will be understood that a single thread could be crossed with two or more other threads, or two or more threads could be crossed with one or more threads in any desired order.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. In a circular loom, a comb comprising a series of spaced dents, eyes formed in the free ends of said dents for controlling a set of warp threads and preventing lateral movement of said threads, a further member disposed above said comb and comprising a series of longer dents for controlling a further setoi warpthreads while allowing a radial movementv of said threads, means for effooting rel-ative circumferential'f'motion between the two members, at intervals, so: as to pass each thread of one` set circumieren'tially across a corresponding thread of theother set,.. at intervals, irst to one side and then to` the other of said corresponding thread, and' a shedding. wheel for pushing the threads controlled by said further member radially along the spaces between the threads controlled by the comb dents to form a shed for a shuttle: during said intervals.

2. In a circular loom, warp thread controlling members disposed round the loom in such a manner as.` to form' a gap at-a point on the periphery,

of the loom, a seriesof spaced dents disposed in said gapV and adapted to control aset of warp threads passing through said gap, a` member cornprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a further set of warp threads passing through'said gap, said further member being disposed in close proximity to said iirst-n1entioned series of dents, means for effecting relative circumferential motion between said member and said first-men-` tioned series of dents so'Y as to pass each thread of the set controlled by said member circumferentially across a correspoding thread of the set controlled by said inst-mentioned series of dents, at intervals, first to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, and kmeans for shedding the two sets of crossed threads to opposite sides of the path of a. shuttle during said intervals.

3. In a circular loom a member for controlling a set of spaced warp threads, a 'further member for controlling a further set of spaced warp threads, means for shedding the separate sets of threads to. opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the' laying of each pick oi weit in the loom, and means for ehiecting. relative circumferential motion between the two members so as to pass each thread of one set circumferentially across a correspondingthread of the other set, first to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals. Y

4. Ina circular loom, a member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a set oi warp threads, a further member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a further set of warp threads, means for shedding the separate sets of threads to opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and means for eiiecting relative circumferential motion between the two members so as to pass each thread of one set circumierentially across a corresponding thread of the other set, rst to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

5. In a circular loom, a member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a set of warp threads, a further member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a further set of warp threads, means for shedding the separate sets of threads to opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and means for imparting circumferential motion to said kfurther member so as to pass each thread of the set controlled by said member circumferentially across a corresponding thread of the set controlled by said first-mentioned member rst to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

of said dents for controlling a set o warp threads and preventing lateral movement of said threads,

, a further member disposed above said comb and comprising a series of dents longer than the comb dents for controlling a further set of warp threads while allowing of radial movement of said threads, means for pushing the threads controlled by said further member radially along the spaces between the threads controlled by the comb dents to opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals so as to shed the threads after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and means for eiecting relative circumferential motion between the two members so as to pass each thread of one set circumferentially across a corresponding thread of the other set, first to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

7. In a circular loom, a reed, a series of spaced dents in said reed for controlling a set of warp threads, a member comprising a series oi spaced dents pivoted on said reed above said first-mentioned series of dents, said member being adapted to control a further set of warp threads, means for shedding the separate sets of threads to opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and means for moving said pivoted member about its pivot so as to pass each thread of the set controlled by said member circumierentially across a corresponding thread of the set con- "trolled by said first-mentioned series of dents,

posite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and a cam between which and said pivoted member thereis relative circular motion with respect to the loom axis, said cam being adapted to en'- gage said bowl and thereby to move said pivoted member about its pivot so as to pass each thread of the set controlled by said member circumferentially across a corresponding thread of the set controlled by said rst-mentioned series of dents, first to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

9. In a circular loom, a member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a set of warp threads, a further member comprising a series of spaced dents for controlling a further set of warp threads, shedding wheels for shedding the separate sets oaf threads to opposite sides of the path of a shuttle at intervals after the laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and means for effecting relative circumferential motion between the two members so as to pass each thread of one set circumferentially across a corresponding thread of the other set, first to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

l0. In a circular loom, a member comprising Aa series of spaced dents for controlling a set of warp threads, a further member comprising a series oi spaced dents for controlling a further set of warp threads, shedding wheels for shedding the separate sets of threads to opposite sides of. the path of a shuttle at intervals afterthe laying of each pick of weft in the loom, and cam means between which and said thread-controlling members there is relative circular motion with respect to the loom axis, said cam means being adapted to effect relative circumferential motion between the two members so as to pass each thread of one set circumferentially across a corresponding thread of the other set, rst to one side and then to the other of said corresponding thread, between successive shedding intervals.

FRANK CORBYN HALE. 

